When I moved 20 months ago I did use Wayfair. For case goods. I will not buy upholstery unless I can sit on it. It’s just too important to take a chance on. I did buy some bookcases but I went with a brand name that I had used before in other office furniture. Bush. I would consider these bookcases light duty. And I have no thoughts that when I go the kids aren’t gonna chuck these out. Totally not heritage furniture. And I’m OK with that because I wanted something light and airy and that’s what I got. Like this, but not this. In my memory, what I bought was on a closeout because they were less than 100 bucks each. https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/17-stories-folkert-709-h-x-315-w-etagere-bookcase-large-rustic-industrial-bookshelf-for-home-decor-display-w000705756.html?categoryid=1780385&placement=1&slot=1&sponsoredid=cfed8f61d4aeaa70d38adbbb30ddc6562799ce2815755c57f815af6004d6344d&_txid=I%2FWEwmW6uH059c3SnjT9Ag%3D%3D&isB2b=0&auctionId=3642334a-5fa7-4c56-83f0-430652a55678
The biggest thing with Wayfair and I think there’s another one of these furniture places and Amazon. What is happening is a manufacturer— almost always in China, makes an item. Let’s say a desk. They then shop this desk to various resellers who slap their name on it, and their own price point. One might call it the Henderson desk and charge $350 for it another place might sell it for 299 and call it the Jason desk. And so on. So let’s say you like this desk as the Henderson desk, take a screenshot of the picture, or print it whatever and keep looking for it. Trust me — none of the resellers will purchase that desk, make it and take new photos. They will take your order, order it from the original manufacturer, slap some of their paperwork on the front so it looks like it’s their company… and send it to you. I have yet to find the same item via another reseller that didn’t use the manufacturers pictures, and schematics.
So read the reviews with a jaundiced eye, I’ve actually stopped reading five star reviews I read three star reviews. I think one and five star reviews are just lies, and remember if you’re buying a piece of furniture that’s under a certain price point you are buying something that IKEA might not sell. With furniture you really do get what you pay for. I fell in love with that industrial rustic look, and I got it everywhere in my house. It is inexpensive, IKEA makes a really nice set of it called Fjallbo.
But I knew my desk was going to be a heavily used item. I spend several hours a week doing my typical financial paperwork and research for my genealogy. I did not want a $400 desk, nor did I want a $2000 heavy wood monstrosity. To anyone who loves those. I went with a mid priced Whittier Wood McKenzie desk. On legs. So it still has that lighter look. And I got it on sale. But I still think it was like 1500 bucks. But it’s wood, real wood. I have a few other pieces of Whittier would McKenzie and they have lasted years.